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BTP breathes new life into Plas Alltran

BTP Breathes new life into Plas Alltran

We’re proud to share one of our most rewarding recent projects — the restoration of Plas Alltran in Holyhead, a once-derelict Grade II-listed building that now provides four new affordable apartments for local people, including care leavers.

Working in partnership with Isle of Anglesey County Council, we led this £1.5 million transformation with the goal of saving a building once listed among the ten most endangered buildings in Wales and England by the Victorian Society.

What was once a crumbling former doctor’s surgery is now a welcoming home for single and two-person households — and a symbol of what careful restoration and collaboration can achieve.

Over two years, we worked alongside a skilled and dedicated team: historic conservation specialists Recclesia, M&E experts Hulley, and structural engineers Caulmert. Together, we set out not just to preserve the past, but to adapt it for the future.

Preserving Plas Alltran’s historic fabric was at the heart of everything we did. We collaborated closely with conservation officers and Cadw, Wales’s historic environment service, to agree on appropriate restoration methods and materials. Wherever possible, original external walls and slate tiles were retained, while lost details such as door mouldings, cornices, and stair spindles were carefully recorded and faithfully replicated using traditional craftsmanship.

The listed status of the building brought its own challenges — especially when it came to ventilation. Because the original windows had to be preserved, a standard system wasn’t possible. Instead, we installed a Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) system — a state-of-the-art, energy-efficient solution that complements the building’s character.

Internally, we used insulated lime plaster, chosen for its sustainability and exceptional heat retention, helping to keep energy use and carbon emissions low.

For us, Plas Alltran is a fantastic example of how mindful design, sensitive conservation, and strong partnership working can come together to deliver something truly meaningful. The project not only safeguards an important part of Holyhead’s heritage but also provides high-quality, affordable homes that support the well-being and dignity of local residents.

As Councillor Robin Wyn Williams, the Council’s Finance & Housing Portfolio Holder, put it:

“This development provides high-quality, affordable homes in the heart of the community, while also bringing a treasured local building back into use. It reflects our wider commitment to delivering housing that meets real need, in a way that respects the character and heritage of our island.”

 And Andy (Kwok) Wan, Director at BTP said:

Plas Alltran is a fantastic example of how careful restoration, mindful design and successful partnership working can come together to create sustainable, affordable homes.

“This project safeguards an important part of Holyhead’s heritage whilst creating affordable homes.

“Every element of the design was considered not just for its conservation value, but for how it could support the well-being, dignity, and future of its residents.”

And as Jamie Moore, Director at Recclesia, added.

“Bringing Plas Alltran back from the brink of complete loss was a real challenge. By working collaboratively, we’ve saved this wonderful building while creating modern, comfortable living space. The conservation outcomes are exemplary thanks to a cohesive team with the right expertise.”

The result is a project that achieves every goal, heritage preservation, sustainability, community benefit, and affordability. It’s also deeply satisfying to know that Plas Alltran has now been removed from the At Risk Register, marking a new chapter for one of Holyhead’s most significant historic landmarks.

 We’re incredibly grateful to the Welsh Government and Cadw for their funding support, without which this project would not have been possible.

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